MPNFL 2018: Coaches name the rising stars and top young talent in the region

THE peninsula has produced plenty of promising footy talent in the past decade or two. So we’ve asked the current MPNFL coaches who this year's rising stars are.

Nepean Football League: Devon Meadows v Tyabb at Glover Reserve, Devon Meadows. Tyabb #32 Liam Rogan under pressure from Devon Meadows #32 Locky Burke. Picture: AAP/ Chris Eastman

FOOTY season in the middle of winter can be a testing time for coaches — even tougher if the wins aren’t coming.

But one thing is sure to brighten the outlook for coaches: an exciting young prospect.

And the MPNFL is awash with rising stars, with club coaches naming their best youngsters; those most likely to “kick on”.

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Here’s a look at the MPNFL’s most promising players:

DIVISION 1

Pines: “I’d say Khyal Jacobson, Liam Cox, Jacob Boyle, Brendan Purcell, Michael Bezzene and Brandon Lewis,” coach Paddy Swayn said. “That’s a few but they’re all really capable.”

Mornington: “Young Nathan Heath is Under 17’s and playing seniors,” coach Simon Goosey said. “He is very skilful, doesn’t waste a possession and has been added to the Stingrays training squad.”

Frankston YCW: coach Wayne Capp said talented forward Lachlan Street was an exciting prospect.

Bonbeach ruckman Tom Hogan is one of the MPNFL’s rising stars. Picture: AAP/ Chris Eastman.

Bonbeach: “Tom Hogan is a 19 year old ruckman, I could see him developing into one of the premier rucks in the comp over the next few years,” coach Steve Hughes said. “He has huge talent, is very humble and has a terrific attitude to footy. Also Joel Filippone. He is an under 19 who has played most of the season with us. Athletic, nice size, and has some tricks.”

Mt Eliza: “We have a lot … Luca Goonan, 16, Bailey Breen, 18, Braden Nelmes, 18, Tom Freeman, 19, Sam Sturt, 18, Ned Cahill, 17 … I could name a few more however these have played the majority of footy in the seniors this year,’’ coach Troy Shannon said.

Seaford’s Dylan Howlett has enjoyed an impressive season. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Seaford: “Our best young prospects are Dylan Howlett and Ishak Bashir,” coach Ben Murphy said.

Sorrento: “Our best young talent are James Brigden, Zac Byrnes and Chad Harris,” coach Luke Tapscott said. “James did a VFL pre-season this year.”

“Must be in the top three best players in the competition” — high praise for Sean Downie from Rosebud. Picture: Chris Eastman

Rosebud: “Sean Downie has been outstanding all year must be in the top three best players in the competition,” coach Adrian McBean said. “(He) has the hunger to compete and has a never-say-die attitude no matter what stage the game is at for which he has been rewarded with the captaincy for the last two weeks. Wins his own ball inside and outside has the acceleration from stoppages a complete midfielder should be playing at a higher level not to many local players you can say that about.”

Edi-Asp: coach Graeme Yeats nominated Nick Carlon and Michael Bussey.

Nick Carlon is considered one of Edithvale-Aspendale’s top prospects. Picture: Valeriu Campan

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DIVISION 2

Chelsea: “Jack Francis, who is 21 and already vice-captain, could possibly try VFL in next few years,” coach James Brain said. “And Andrew Silva, who is 19 and still a very raw talent.”

Chelsea's Jack Francis has been touted as a potential VFL player. Picture: David Trend.

Devon Meadows: “I have a number of talented young players — Joel Hillis, Liam Drew, Kyle Beveridge, Chase Harris, Brodie White and Josh Stewart,’’ coach Glenn Michie said.

Hastings: “The best young fella at our club would be Matt Foy,” coach Ricky Ferraro said. “He is Under 18s and has played all year with us. He can be thrown back, forward or fill in some holes … he reads the ball as good as any and doesn’t take a backward step when it’s time to go.”

Kyle Beveridge (left) celebrates a goal for Devon Meadows.

Rye: “To be honest, we have quite a number of young, talented players,” coach Josh Moore said. “If I can only give you two, I would say Jarrod Richards, who is a top age under 19 player but has played senior football for the past two seasons. He has the potential to take his footy to the next level. The other one is Campbell Robbins. Campbell is bottom age under 19s but he has also been playing senior footy under me for the past two seasons.”

Dromana: “I could honestly give you seven or eight names that I think could be stars for the next 10 years,” coach Rikki Johnston said. “Jack Gipp, Billy Quigley, Ethan Johnstone, Sam Fowler, Dean Waugh, Sam Geurts, Billy Geurts, Will Hammill, Josh Bateman etc. It’s quite scary. Ethan Johnstone and Billy Quigley are constantly stand outs.”

Sam Geurts is part of a promising young crop at Dromana. Picture: David Crosling

Karingal: “Nathan Villella is still under 19 and has played 12 senior games as a mid/ forward,” coach Brett Dunne said. “Mason Russell is only 21 and he has dominated the wing this season, he has genuine leg speed. Jai Triep has played seniors and 19s as well as three games at Stingrays. Jarrod Sullivan has played three senior games and was emergency for Vic Country under 19s and he kicked the winning goal for the MPNFL rep team earlier this year. Ryan McNamara, at 17, played three senior games and he is a real forward prospect, just knows where the goals are.”

Langwarrin: co-coach Blake McCormack listed eight players — Jesse Murphy, Mitch Cuthbert, Zach Andrewartha, Kye Whitford, Josh Dormer, Blake Harkness, Matthew Peynenborg and Daniel Nash — and said all had “huge upside”.

Blake Harkness in full flight for Langwarrin. Picture: Chris Eastman

Red Hill: “Jonah Siversen is by far the most talented and consistent performer for us,” coach Jamie Mollo said.

Tyabb: “Brad Williams is a silky defender who has held his own all year in the Tyabb backline and midfield. He is an accumulator and has fantastic foot skills. His consistency was a big factor in him being selected in the winning interleague U19 side this year. Liam Rogan is a powerful defender-come-ruckman. He has held down number 1 ruck at the age of 22 which is no mean feat. He more than holds his own and has been an integral piece in the resurgence of the Yabbies. Jack Doman is a big-bodied midfielder/forward. Has a booming right foot and the ability to take a game by the scruff of the neck. Keep an eye out for the man child!’’

Luke Dalmau has had a top season for Pearcedale. Picture: James Ross.

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